Consumer Coupons Prove Useful... "Easing the Burden of Chuseok Holiday Preparations"

Expansion of Hanaro Mart Locations and Military Base Areas
Rural Residents and Soldiers Make Full Use
Traditional Markets Revitalized Ahead of the Holiday Rush
"Nine Out of Ten Customers Use Consumer Coupons"
"People Now Order Two Frie

"The cost of preparing food for the holidays is always a burden, but this time, I think it will be less stressful because I can use the consumption coupon at the supermarket," said a 75-year-old resident surnamed Kim from Sunchang, North Jeolla Province. "Ahead of Chuseok, I bought meat and fruit at the supermarket using the consumption coupon," he added. "During the first round, I was disappointed that I couldn't use it at Hanaro Mart, but this time, I was able to use the full 100,000 won effectively."

With the significant expansion of stores where the Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon can be used, there is a growing consensus that convenience has improved. In particular, residents in remote mountain and island regions, where usage was previously restricted, have warmly welcomed the addition of more supermarkets where the coupon can be used.

On the 28th of last month, a sign reading "Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon Usable" was displayed at a store in Gocheok Neighborhood Market, Guro District, Seoul.

On the 28th of last month, a sign reading "Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon Usable" was displayed at a store in Gocheok Neighborhood Market, Guro District, Seoul.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on October 1, the number of Nonghyup Hanaro Mart locations nationwide where the consumption coupon can be used has expanded to 779. Previously, only 121 out of 2,208 Hanaro Mart locations nationwide (5%) accepted the coupon. As a result, some island residents had to take a four-hour ferry ride just to purchase daily necessities. To address this, the ministry increased the number of eligible stores in towns and townships, including Hanaro Mart locations, local food direct markets, and regional consumer cooperatives. Thanks to this measure, rural residents are now able to use the consumption coupon more effectively. An 80-year-old resident surnamed Choi from Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, said, "In the countryside, where there aren't many dining options, the only place to use the consumption coupon is the supermarket. I'm glad I can now buy daily necessities with it."

The areas where military personnel can use the coupon have also been greatly improved. Previously, soldiers could not use the consumption coupon at businesses near their duty stations, so even when they went out on leave, they had to spend their own money in the vicinity of their bases. Starting from the second round of coupon distribution, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety allowed soldiers to use the coupon in local markets near their duty stations by applying for 'out-of-district use' at the local community center. The owner of an accommodation business in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, said, "Here, the number of soldiers exceeds the civilian population. The local economy can only thrive if soldiers can spend their coupons in Hwacheon." He added, "With the policy improvement, soldiers stationed in Hwacheon can now use the consumption coupon at local accommodations, and we are receiving a growing number of reservation inquiries."

Since the distribution of the Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon, there have been measurable economic effects such as increased sales for small businesses and traditional markets, as well as improved consumer sentiment. According to the Bank of Korea, the Consumer Sentiment Index reached 110.8 in July, when the first round of coupons was distributed, and 111.4 in August, marking the highest level in 7 years and 7 months. In the 'August Small Business Market Business Survey Index (BSI)' released by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service, both the August performance and September outlook BSI for small businesses and traditional markets hit their highest levels of the year. Both small businesses (77.0%) and traditional markets (89.3%) cited 'increased government support' as the top reason for improvement, indicating that the consumption coupon is having a priming effect on the economy.

On the 28th of last month, a sign reading "Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon Usable" was displayed at a store in Gocheok Neighborhood Market, Guro District, Seoul.

The 'second Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon,' which provides 100,000 won per person to 90% of the population, was distributed ahead of the Chuseok holiday, bringing a rare sense of vitality back to traditional markets preparing for the holiday rush. A fruit vendor at Gocheok Neighborhood Market in Guro District, Seoul, said, "The number of customers buying fruit for Chuseok rituals has increased. About nine out of ten customers use the consumption coupon." A snack shop owner added, "Many people now stop by for snacks while shopping, and thanks to the consumption coupon, customers who used to order one piece of fried food are now ordering two."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.